Youth in Kanabec County among 4 hunters to die during Minnesota deer opener

Opening weekend of Minnesota's firearms deer season has left four dead and several others injured in hunting accidents.

A juvenile fatally shot himself Monday in Kanabec County. The accident took place around 3:30 p.m., the Star Tribune reported.

A 51-year-old man from Sartell was shot by his own gun Sunday after falling from his deer stand in north-central Minnesota. He was found around 10 a.m. near his stand in Beulah Township.

Arthur Joseph Kanafla, 84, died after his clothing caught fire while he attempted to light his propane heater in his stand. He fell from the stand as his clothing was engulfed by flames.

The death of Gene A. Berthiaume, 72, on Monday was determined to be a result of natural causes, the Associated Press reported.

Several injuries have resulted from hunters falling from their tree stands. One was serious enough to require an evacuation by helicopter. Others were injured by firearms including a man who had his thumb accidently shot off by another hunter and a man who was injured when his shotgun exploded because his muzzle was plugged.

In addition to the deaths and injuries, numerous people were cited for illegal baiting.